DENNISON—As a result of moderate growth and careful business planning in 2004, Twin City Hospital is in the process of making some exciting changes in 2005 to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents.

            Even though policy changes in healthcare cost reimbursement necessitated that Twin City Hospital make some financial and management adjustments in 2004, the year did result in moderate growth of the hospital’s outpatient services.  Use of the Hospital’s outpatient laboratory, therapy, imaging and cardiopulmonary services was up by more than 4%.  Additionally, the hospital was able to expand its offerings of ear, nose and throat and women’s health specialty services in 2004.

            Performing over 70 community health screens through a partnership with the Twin City Hospital Foundation was another significant accomplishment during the past year.  Hospital staff members also administered over 1,500 flu shots through community and medical office flu shot clinics.  And, through the sponsorship of the Dennison Rotary Club, over 2,400 area residents received a complete blood profile at Twin City Hospital in 2004.

            “Providing convenient and affordable health screenings for area residents has been and always will be a priority at Twin City Hospital,” remarked Marge Jentes, Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Twin City Hospital.  “We plan to continue offering these screenings as often as possible in the new year.”

            Twin City Hospital also provided over one million dollars worth of free healthcare services to community residents in 2004 as part of the Hospital’s charitable purpose to provide healthcare to everyone regardless of ability to pay.

            Twin City Hospital’s plans for 2005 include the enhancement of healthcare services, the addition of new physicians, an update of the website, and the continued pursuit of opportunities for the renovation and rebuilding of emergency room space. 

            “Our management team is working very closely with the Board of Trustees to respond to the community’s healthcare needs by making wise investments in service enhancements and new physicians,” explained Jentes, Interim CEO of Twin City Hospital.  “Providing affordable, quality care with a personal touch for the residents of our area continues to be our focus.”

            Twin City Hospital services that are enhanced for 2005 include updates to the Hospital’s Radiology Department.  New to the department for the year is a brand-new, state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine that is available to perform scans two days a week.  The department is also now offering Nuclear Medicine services including stress tests, bone scans, lung scans, hida scans (to locate gall bladder problems), and renal (kidney) scans five days a week.  Additionally, the Radiology Department has a new, conventional x-ray machine that will be used to perform traditional x-rays such as x-rays of the bones and chest.  Finally, the Twin City Hospital Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Department has added massage therapy.

            Twin City Medical Group, the Hospital’s in-house physician group, anticipates adding two new doctors of internal medicine during the first half of 2005.  Plans also include the addition of physician specialists in urology and orthopedics.  The Hospital is also working with other physician specialists to hopefully add even more specialty services.

            Also on tap for this year at Twin City Hospital is a complete update of the website to make finding information about the hospital’s services and physicians even easier for local Internet users.  Continuing to pursue funding opportunities for the renovation and re-building of the hospital’s emergency room space will also be a priority in 2005.

            As always, a key component of the Hospital’s success in the past and into the future is its strong base of volunteers—those who donate their time and also those who donate funding and other goods.  “We will continue to seek donations of time, money, and other items in order to help finance future projects,” explained Jentes, Interim CEO of Twin City Hospital.  “Other items that community members have donated include used cars, garage sale items, craft items, property, appliances and etcetera that our volunteers have been able to sell or raffle at their fundraisers.”

             “We are tremendously grateful for all the support we have received from the community and our board members, physicians, volunteers and employees,” stated Jentes.  “And we are looking forward to making some positive enhancements during this new year in order to continue providing healthcare services to our local residents.”